The peak years for playing computer games appear to be ages 18-48. During that time, it is estimated that the average gamer in North America, for example, will spend more than $1,000 a year (in present dollars) for games and game equipment, according to GameStrata, an online community for gamers.

Eighty-seven percent of game players who own a PlayStation 3 also use the unit to watch movies in the new Blu-ray format. A dual-layer Blu-ray disk has six times the storage capacity of dual-layer DVDs, and all images are high-definition. Right now Blu-ray movie disks aren’t as common as DVDs, but those in the business predict they will be in the majority within the next two to three years. Largely because of its ability to play Blu-ray disks, Sony sold more than three million PS3s in 2007.